Days after the Rio Olympics diving pool mysteriously turned a lush shade of green, officials have decided to close it down. Rio spokesman Philip Wilkinson confirmed Friday that all diving training in the pool would be canceled for Friday morning, though the exact reason for the pool's closure remained about as murky as its water. "The reason is that the water must be still so the pool can return to its blue color as soon as possible," Wilkinson said.
Olympic organizers have blamed the sudden color change on "everything from an algal bloom to a drop in alkalinity for the swamp water look," SB Nation reported. Aside from the color, journalist Tom Steinfort has also reported that the water has acquired a particularly unusual smell:
As alarming as the color — and smell — may be, officials have maintained the water is safe.
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Only one diving event was on the schedule Friday, and it has yet to be announced whether that will be postponed.
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